{"title":"Pounamu (Greenstone) Pendant","description":"\u003cp\u003ePounamu — also known as greenstone or New Zealand jade — is one of Aotearoa’s most treasured natural taonga (treasures). Māori regard it as sacred, powerful, and enduring, valued for its strength, beauty, and deep spiritual meaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross generations, pounamu has symbolised:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul role=\"list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMana — Prestige, authority, and respect\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhakapapa — Connection to ancestors\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProtection — A guardian stone carrying mauri (life force)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeace \u0026amp; unity — Often exchanged to seal important agreements \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause pounamu is found only in the South Island, the region became known as Te Wai Pounamu — “The Waters of Greenstone.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most well‑known Māori stories explains how pounamu came to the Arahura River:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePoutini, a powerful taniwha (guardian spirit), protected the essence of pounamu. While resting near Tūhua (Mayor Island), he saw a beautiful woman named Waitaiki and carried her away to the South Island. Her husband, Tamaāhua, pursued them relentlessly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFearing capture but unwilling to give Waitaiki up, Poutini transformed her into pounamu, laying her within the riverbed of the Arahura River, where the stone is still found today. Tamaāhua’s cry of grief is said to echo through the southern mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis legend is why pounamu is seen not just as a stone, but as a living connection to love, loss, guardianship, and the spirit of the land.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hei-toki-with-koru-pandent","title":"Hei Toki with Koru Pendent","description":"\u003ch3\u003eMeaning \u0026amp; Symbolism\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hei Toki (adze pendant) represents strength, determination, and leadership — once worn by Māori chiefs and master carvers as a mark of authority and skill. The Koru spiral, inspired by the unfurling fern frond, symbolises new life, growth, and harmony. Together, they embody the balance between power and renewal, making this design a meaningful gift for those embracing new journeys or personal transformation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSource of Stone\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaukaraka is a distinctive variety of New Zealand Pounamu (greenstone) found mainly in the Arahura and Hokitika regions of the South Island. Its name comes from the karaka tree, reflecting the stone’s warm, earthy tones — a blend of olive green, golden brown, and mossy hues that resemble autumn leaves. Each piece of Raukaraka carries unique patterns and colour transitions, often described as “land meeting forest”, symbolising harmony between nature’s elements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist Detail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlex Sands from Sands Carving Studio\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kiwinest","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53409971962219,"sku":null,"price":375.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0978\/2909\/3739\/files\/file_0000000080a871fa97e4a79beee954cc.png?v=1781928548"},{"product_id":"hei-toki-with-koru-pendent","title":"Hei Toki with Koru Pendent","description":"\u003ch3\u003eMeaning \u0026amp; Symbolism\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Hei Toki (adze pendant) represents strength, determination, and leadership — once worn by Māori chiefs and master carvers as a mark of authority and skill. The Koru spiral, inspired by the unfurling fern frond, symbolises new life, growth, and harmony. Together, they embody the balance between power and renewal, making this design a meaningful gift for those embracing new journeys or personal transformation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSource of Stone\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaukaraka is a distinctive variety of New Zealand Pounamu (greenstone) found mainly in the Arahura and Hokitika regions of the South Island. Its name comes from the karaka tree, reflecting the stone’s warm, earthy tones — a blend of olive green, golden brown, and mossy hues that resemble autumn leaves. Each piece of Raukaraka carries unique patterns and colour transitions, often described as “land meeting forest”, symbolising harmony between nature’s elements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist Detail\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlex Sands from Sands Carving Studio\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kiwinest","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53410271035755,"sku":null,"price":375.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0978\/2909\/3739\/files\/file_00000000807471faba02f8b1f2aacd66.png?v=1781954005"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0978\/2909\/3739\/collections\/pounamu-meaning-with-symbol.png?v=1781928892","url":"https:\/\/kiwinestnz.shop\/collections\/pounamu-greenstone-pendant.oembed","provider":"Kiwinest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}